of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association.

Numerous sources have confirmed that alcohol was a predominant factor in Curry's conduct at the Colonial Open last Saturday. And as a result, the BLTA appears to have little choice but to take some sort of action against one of the Island's best -- and most popular -- players.

His behaviour resulted in playing partner James Collieson walking off the court in disgust during the first set of their doubles match at Pomander Gate.

Their opponents, Eugene Simmons and Stan Smith, trailing 3-4, were granted the victory by default.

Collieson and other witnesses confirmed that Curry had been drinking heavily at the club in the hours preceding the match and was not in any condition to play.

While reluctant to comment on the specifics of the incident, BLTA president David Lambert and Pomander Gate's BLTA representative, Mary Leigh Chasty, said the issue is far from dead.

"I am concerned about it,'' Chasty said Tuesday night.

So too is the Ministry of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation, which has made responsible alcohol use at sporting events one of the cornerstones of its Drug Free Sports Policy, expected to be in place next year.

"If (the reports are) true, then it is an abuse of a licit substance, which is something we are trying to control,'' said Ministry director Anthony Roberts.

The BLTA earlier this year pledged its support to the Policy by signing the Ministry's Committment to Action form.

Curry may also have breached the BLTA's own code of conduct, which "covers everything a player does once he steps on a tennis court,'' said Lambert, adding that that includes intoxication.

By coincidence, the BLTA's regular monthly meeting was last night and while Curry's name was certain to be mentioned, sanctions were not immediately expected.

Lambert said the usual process is for a tournament referee or committee to file a report with the BLTA, which would then act upon it. And according to Chasty, a report can be expected.

A member of Pomander Gate's board of directors, Casty said "I have told the people on the tournament committee I want the referee to file a report.'' Contacted yesterday, match referee Nick Frost downplayed the incident but said "there probably will be something filed, yes.'' It is also possible for a member of the public to lodge a protest directly to the BLTA "but we would still ask tournament officials for input,'' Lambert said.

Curry is a ranking officer within the BLTA and Lambert said he was "hopeful (Saturday's incident) would not affect that relationship.'' Collieson questioned tournament officials for allowing Curry to take the court. He said that his partner's state, combined with the humidity and exertion posed a potential health risk to Curry -- not to mention a legal one for Pomander Gate.

Repeated attempts to reach Curry for comment have been unsuccessful.

Curry is seeded fourth in singles for the tournament and was scheduled to play a semi-final match last night. He and Collieson were the top-seeded doubles team.

In the other men's semi-final at Pomander Gate, Collieson, the number three seed, meets top seeded Michael Way today at 5.45 p.m.